Seven Years into Colitis (and what has worked for me so far!)
I haven't changed my medication for the past seven years (and neither have I skipped them). I haven't had any surgery. I haven't lost weight either (but I've lost a lot of hair which thankfully keep growing back!).
UC patients' have different stories, and not everyone has the same set of symptoms. How I maintained my mild-to-moderate UC is not simply luck, it also took a lot of experimentation, sacrifices, and "cleansing."
Here are the 7 things that have worked for me so far:
Hello New Year, It’s Me!
For some reason (and I think this is partly due to a mild form of OCD), I feel like if I don't start this day right, the rest of 2022's 364 days will be doomed. I stopped myself from making a checklist of things to do, and yet, I went through our apartment like a madman: cleaning and organizing the refrigerator, cupboards, and other appliances; mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms, doing the laundry, washing my make-up brushes, and now writing content for my first post this year.
Girls With Guts Live Chat: IBD and Aging
Do IBD symptoms change as you age? What is it like to deal with menopause while living with IBD? Are there things younger IBD patients can anticipate as they approach the path to aging?
These questions and more are what Girls With Guts explored in our Facebook Live Chat on "IBD and Aging" last September 12. Danielle O'Connor and Pragna Patel joined us to share their experience and wisdom. Our featured warriors were both diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (Danielle when she was 17 and Pragna, in her late 40's); and both living with J-pouches. Learn from their struggles and wins and their inspiring resilience while aging with IBD.
This event was moderated by Tina, our GWG Community Connection Liaison, and yours truly!
A Toast to Nigella!
Have you ever tried Nigella Lawson’s unique approach to her toast? I did!
How can you treat your body better today?
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to taking care of your body?
Acknowledge what you need to change. Change what you can, while you still can, before it's too late.
𝘈𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨-𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢 𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘯?
𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘬𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘯 - 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰 𝘱𝘢, 𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘭𝘪 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘵.
Disability Pride
This is me, literally trying to get my shit together amid a flare, at different points in my life.
Today on my plate: Ground Turkey with Kale
This dish is Ground Turkey Curry with Kale which I made with coconut oil, onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, curry powder, and kale. I also added a dash of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey for a touch of surprise (sorry curry purists, just experimenting!).
K-ravings Satisfied!
If you’re like me who got hooked on K-dramas, you’re probably familiar with this dish jjajangmyeon.
AAPI Month Feature on Own Your Crohn’s
I sat on the toilet for the tenth time that day, clueless about what was going on inside of me. For the past seven months, I had been experiencing episodes of bloody diarrhea and had yet to be diagnosed. My ass was spewing blood and I was worried that I am losing a lot of it. I thought to myself: if I were back home in the Philippines, I would probably hear someone say “Baka kinulam ka” (“Someone probably hexed you”). Filipinos, although predominantly Catholic, have their share of beliefs – both superstitious and supernatural. Kulam, a form of folk magic, is one of them.
IBD Talk with Luna
Thanks to Late Nights by Luna Manila, a Filipina IBD patient like me had the opportunity to be seen and heard today. For this disease whose cure has yet to be discovered, every story counts.
Another thing I gave up: Driving
For the past 14 years, I have not driven a car here in the US. It gives me anxiety. Am I the only one that feels this way?
Hiya | Pakikisama
How is it like to be Filipino and have an invisible illness and chronic pain knowing that you have to deal with Hiya (shame) and Pakikisama (fellowship or sociability) while trying to live a normal life? It took me seven years to come out and speak up about my Inflammatory Bowel Disease (as embarrassing as it may be) because I got tired of explaining.
Bye, tinapay. Hello, gluten-free bread
Life gives us options; choose the one your body will thank you for 🍞